Knee support system

ABSTRACT

A jacket comprises an exterior layer. The jacket further comprises an inner liner layer that is substantially coextensive with the exterior layer. The inner liner layer has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The inner liner layer exterior surface is secured to the exterior layer along a seam. The jacket further comprises a plurality of flexible covers secured to the inner liner layer. The plurality of flexible covers forming a corresponding plurality of pockets. Each of the plurality of pockets includes a corresponding padding member positioned therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/690,105 (filed 13 Jun. 2005), the entire disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to equipment and apparel usedduring sporting activities, and more particularly to sporting equipmentand apparel having beneficial protection and support characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Participants in many sporting activities are often subject to jarringimpacts resulting form falls, collisions with objects, or evencollisions with other participants. Sporting activities that involveparticipants moving at high speeds, such as skiing, snowboarding and iceskating, have the potential to be particularly dangerous in thisrespect. To mitigate the adverse effects of such impacts, a wide varietyof protective equipment has been developed. Such protective equipmentincludes both rigid structural devices such as helmets and shin guards,as well as soft form-fitting padded garments, such as padded pants andjackets. Often, protective equipment is specifically designed for use ina particular sporting activity, such as a baseball catcher's chestprotector or a hockey goalie's protective padding.

Furthermore, sports injuries are often sustained not only from jarringimpacts, but also from overextending the natural capabilities of aparticipant's joints, muscles, or other anatomy. For example,significant injury often results when joints such as the knee joint areoverextended or over-flexed. To reduce the likelihood of such injuries,braces and other orthopaedic devices have been developed that areintended to restrict the motion of a joint.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Conventional protective equipment designed to insulate an athlete fromimpact injuries often comprises bulky padding elements that are attachedeither directly to the athlete's body, or to a garment worn by theathlete. While such equipment is usable to protect against impactinjuries, significant disadvantages exist. For example, many athletesfind that such equipment is uncomfortable to wear, is bulky andunsightly, and is unduly restrictive of the athlete's movement. This isespecially so for many orthopaedic devices designed to protect againstjoint injuries, such as knee injuries, since conventional devices ofteninclude hardware that is heavy, unsightly, expensive and uncomfortableto wear. Thus, in accordance with the foregoing, improved protectiveequipment and apparel has been developed to help mitigate and/or preventinjuries sustained by participants in sporting activities.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a jacket comprises anexterior layer. The jacket further comprises an inner liner layer thatis substantially coextensive with the exterior layer. The inner linerlayer has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The inner linerlayer exterior surface is secured to the exterior layer along a seam.The jacket further comprises a plurality of flexible covers secured tothe inner liner layer. The plurality of flexible covers forming acorresponding plurality of pockets. Each of the plurality of pocketsincludes a corresponding padding member positioned therein.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a trousers comprises anexterior layer having a trunk portion that is connected to an elongateleg portion. The trousers further comprises an interior layer that isattached to the exterior layer along a seam that is at least disposedaround a waist opening of the trunk portion. The trousers furthercomprises a pocket mounted on the interior layer. The pocket does notcontact the exterior layer. The trousers further comprises a paddingmember positioned within the pocket.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a garment comprises anouter layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface. Thegarment further comprises an inner layer having an interior surface andan exterior surface. The inner layer exterior surface is attached to theouter layer interior surface along a seam. The garment further comprisesa pocket formed on the inner layer interior surface. The garment furthercomprises a padding member positioned within the pocket. The pocketincludes an opening through which the padding member is removable.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a knee support devicecomprises an expandable sleeve configured to be positioned over a knee.The expandable sleeve has an exterior surface with a forward portion, arearward portion opposite the forward portion, and side portionsextending between the forward and rearward portions. The knee supportdevice further comprises a central padding element that is attached tothe expandable sleeve exterior surface, and that has a narrow region anda wide region opposite the narrow region. The central padding elementnarrow region is attached to the exterior surface rearward portion. Thecentral padding element wide region is attached to one of the exteriorsurface side portions. The knee support device further comprises anupper peripheral padding element, at least a portion of which isattached to the rearward portion of the expandable sleeve exteriorsurface. The upper peripheral padding element is positioned in contactwith an upper edge of the central padding element. The knee supportfurther comprises a lower peripheral padding element, at least a portionof which is attached to the rearward portion of the expandable sleeveexterior surface. The lower peripheral padding element is positioned incontact with a lower edge of the central padding element.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a knee support devicecomprises a hollow sleeve configured to be positioned over a knee. Thehollow sleeve includes a forward portion, a rearward portion oppositethe forward portion, and left and right side portions extending betweenthe forward and rearward portions. The left and right side portions aresubstantially equidistant from a sleeve central axis. The knee supportdevice comprises a left primary padding element at least partiallydisposed over the left side portion of the hollow sleeve. The leftprimary padding element has a narrow region and a wide region oppositethe narrow region. The knee support device further comprises a rightprimary padding element at least partially disposed over the right sideportion of the hollow sleeve. The right primary padding element has anarrow region and a wide region opposite the narrow region. The kneesupport device further comprises a plurality of secondary paddingelements that contact at least one of the left or right primary paddingelements. The secondary padding elements are disposed in pairs that aresymmetrically positioned about the sleeve central axis.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises atubular sleeve configured to be positioned around a knee. The tubularsleeve has an exterior surface with a forward portion, a rearwardportion opposite the forward portion, and left and right side portionsextending between the forward and rearward portions. The apparatusfurther comprises a first layer of left side padding elements positionedon the left side portion of the tubular sleeve. The apparatus furthercomprises a first layer of right side padding elements positioned on theright side portion of the tubular sleeve. The apparatus furthercomprises a kneecap protection element positioned on the forward portionof the exterior surface. The apparatus further comprises a plurality ofradial padding elements that are radially positioned around the kneecapprotection element. A first portion of the radial padding elements arepositioned over the first layer of left side padding elements. A secondportion of the radial padding elements are positioned over the firstlayer of right side padding elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the performance equipment and apparel disclosedherein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are forillustrative purposes only. The drawings comprise the following figures,in which like numerals indicate like parts.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a portionof a garment including protective padding.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a portionof a garment including protective padding and a protective shell.

FIG. 2A is a schematic front view of an example embodiment of a jacketthat includes protective padding elements.

FIG. 2B is a schematic rear view of the jacket of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a schematic front view of an example embodiment of a trousersthat includes protective padding elements.

FIG. 3B is a schematic rear view of the trousers of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a front view of an example embodiment of a knee supportdevice including a first layer of peripheral padding elements.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the knee support device of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a front view of the knee support device of FIG. 4A, furtherincluding an array of front padding elements.

FIG. 4D is a side view of the knee support device of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4E is a front view of the knee support device of FIG. 4C, furtherincluding a second layer of peripheral padding elements.

FIG. 4F is a side view of the knee support device of FIG. 4E.

FIG. 5A is a side view of an example embodiment of a knee support devicehaving a central padding element positioned between peripheral paddingelements.

FIG. 5B is a rear view of the knee support device of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway front view of an example embodiment of atrousers that includes a knee support device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of protective equipment andapparel having features that are particularly useful in reducing therisk of injury associated with sporting activities, such as skiing,snowboarding, skating, and the like. For example, in certain embodimentsa garment is provided with an inner liner layer having padding elementssecured thereto. The padding elements are positioned in the garment atlocations that correspond to portions of the anatomy that areparticularly vulnerable to impact injuries, such as the knees, elbows,shoulders and hips. In other embodiments a knee support device isprovided that provides resistance to potentially damaging movement of aknee joint. The knee support device is optionally integrated into atrousers that includes padding elements.

FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of amultilayered garment 10 that includes an inner liner layer 12 that isconfigured to be worn adjacent to a wearer's body, and an exterior layer16 that provides the outer surface of the multilayered garment 10. Theinner liner layer 12 and the exterior layer 16 are secured together atone or more seams 18 that are positioned at appropriate locations on themultilayered garment 10. In one embodiment, the positioning of the seams18 depends on the portion of the body over which the multilayeredgarment 10 is to be worn, such as the upper body (for example, for ajacket), the lower body (for example, for a trousers), the feet (forexample, for socks), the hands (for example, for gloves) or the head(for example, for a beanie).

Example techniques used to secure the inner liner layer 12 and theexterior layer 16 together include sewing, stitching, gluing, andchemically bonding, although other techniques are used in otherembodiments, such as the use of a zipper or a hook-and-loop typefastener. Optionally, multiple seams 18 are configured to form anenclosed region 20 between the inner liner layer 12 and the exteriorlayer 16, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. In a modified embodiment, the seams18 are releasable, such as provided by a hook-and-loop attachmentsystem, thereby allowing the inner liner layer 12 to be separated fromthe exterior layer 16.

The inner liner layer 12 and the exterior layer 16 have properties thatare tailored to the application in which the multilayered garment 10 isintended to be used, among other things. For example, where themultilayered garment 10 is intended to be used during snow sports, suchas skiing and snowboarding and the like, the exterior layer 16 isprovided with a waterproof or water resistant surface that islightweight and breathable, but that also provides the wearer withprotection from wind chill and other inclement weather. Examples ofmaterials that are used to form the exterior layer 16 includepolyurethane-coated polyester and/or nylon, although other materials andcoatings are used in other embodiments. Likewise, examples of materialsthat are used to form the inner liner layer 12 include polyester,fleece, elastic mesh and other materials that are particularly wellsuited to be worn against interior clothing layers, or against the skin.

Still referring to FIG. 1A, a flexible cover 22 is attached to the innerliner layer 12 so as to form a pocket 24 in which a padding element 14is positioned. In an example embodiment, the flexible cover 22 comprisesa lightweight material that is capable of being sewn or otherwiseaffixed to the inner liner layer 12 at seams 26. For instance, in oneembodiment the flexible cover 22 comprises the same material as theinner liner layer 12, although different materials are used for theflexible cover 22 and the inner liner layer 12 in other embodiments. Inone embodiment, the flexible cover 22 comprises an elastic textile, suchas an elastic mesh material. The flexible cover 22 optionally includesan opening, such as provided by the flap 28 illustrated in FIG. 1A. Inan example embodiment, pockets 24 are formed in regions of the garmentthat are particularly susceptible to collisions, such as the elbows, theshoulders, the ribs, the clavicle, the tailbone, the knees, the hips,and other regions of the body.

In an example embodiment, the padding element 14 is a flexible highdensity open- or closed-cell polyurethane material, such as is availablefrom Rogers Corporation (Rogers, CT) under the brand name PORON®.Polyurethane padding advantageously resists deformation over time, anddecreases the peak force exerted on a body when used to cushion animpact. For example, in one embodiment the padding element 14 is capableof decreasing the peak force exerted on a body by at least about 10% ascompared to an unpadded impact, more preferably by at least about 30% ascompared to an unpadded impact, and most preferably by at least about50% as compared to an unpadded impact. Polyurethane padding providesthese mechanical properties without being excessively bulky or heavy,which is particularly advantageous for sporting apparel applications.

Other padding materials are used in other embodiments, such as shapememory foams or viscoelastic foams that are capable of form-fitting tothe wearer's body and at least partially absorbing the mechanical shockassociated when an impact occurs with another object. For example, incertain embodiments the padding material is disposed in a pouch filledwith a shock absorbing material, such as a viscoelastic gel or a fluid,such as air. In modified embodiments, the padding element 14 comprises alaminated element having a plurality of layers of different materials.For example, in one such embodiment the padding element 14 is a layeredelement that comprises an inner viscoelastic foam layer positionedtoward the wearer's body and an outer polyurethane layer positionedtoward the garment exterior. In certain embodiments the padding elementis formed by an injection molding process. In still other embodiments,the padding material includes one or more spring elements formedtherein, such as a metallic spring element.

In certain embodiments wherein the pocket 24 includes an opening, suchas the flap 28 illustrated in FIG. 1A, the padding element 14 isremovable from the pocket 24. This configuration advantageously allowsthe padding element 14 to be replaced if worn, if a different sizepadding element is desired, or if the garment 10 is to be washed withoutwashing the padding element 14. While the pocket 24 is illustrated witha flapped opening FIG. 1A, other types of openings are used in otherembodiments, such as the hook-and-loop opening 30 illustrated in FIG.1B. In modified embodiments, such as embodiments wherein the pocket 24does not include an opening, the padding element 14 is secured withinthe pocket 24, such as by being affixed to the inner liner layer 12and/or the flexible cover 22. In such embodiments, the padding elementis secured by using an adhesive, by sewing, or by another technique.This configuration advantageously reduces the likelihood that thepadding element 14 has excessive movement within the pocket 24, orbecomes folded onto itself, or is otherwise disturbed in the pocket 24.

Referring again to FIG. 1B, a modified multilayered garment 32 isillustrated that includes a rigid shell 34 that is positioned in thepocket 24 with the padding element 14. In the illustrated embodiment,the rigid shell 34 is coupled to the exterior side of the paddingelement 14. In other embodiments the rigid shell is placed elsewherewithin the pocket 24, such as on the interior side of the paddingelement 14, or within the padding element 14. The rigid shell 34 isconfigured to provide additional protection for regions of the body thatare particularly susceptible to damaging impacts, such as the knees andthe elbows. In such embodiments the rigid shell 34 has a shape thatapproximates the shape of the underlying anatomy that is to beprotected. As illustrated, the rigid shell 34 is configured to cover asmaller area than the padding element 14 in certain embodiments, therebypreventing the garment 32 from becoming excessively heavy due to therigid shell 34. In one embodiment that rigid shell 34 comprises a moldedplastic element, although other materials are used in other embodiments.

As set forth herein, the pockets 24 and the padding elements 14 areincluded in a garment in regions that are particularly susceptible toinjury during sporting activities. For example, FIGS. 2A and 2Billustrate front and rear views (respectively) of an example jacket 40that includes padding elements in a shoulder region 42, a clavicleregion 44, a rib region 46, and an elbow region 48. The padding elementsin the elbow region 48 optionally include both a larger padding element14, and a smaller rigid shell 34. In the illustrated example embodiment,the padding elements in the rib region 46 are optionally provided in theform of multiple parallel elongate elements, thereby allowing the jacket40 to retain substantial flexibility in the rib region 46, thus helpingto avoid giving the jacket an unduly bulky or rigid feel to the wearer,and helping to avoid giving the jacket a padded outward appearance. Inmodified embodiments, additional padding elements are positioned inother regions of the jacket 40, such as the lumbar region, or fewerpadding elements are used. However, regardless of how many paddingelements are used, positioning the padding elements 14 in pockets 24that are secured to the inner liner layer 12 advantageously helps toprevent to padding elements from moving substantially from therespective body regions for which they are intended to protect.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate front and rear views (respectively) of anexample trousers 50 that includes padding elements in a hips region 52,a tailbone region 54, and a knee region 56. The padding elements in theknee region 56 optionally include lateral padding elements 56 a, frontalpadding elements 56 b, and a kneecap rigid shell 56 c. As with thejacket 40, additional padding elements are optionally positioned inother regions of the trousers 50, such as the buttocks region, or fewerpadding elements are used.

In one embodiment, the inner liner layer 12 is substantially coextensivewith the exterior layer 16, such that the seams 18 joining these layersare at least positioned around openings in the garment. For example, forthe jacket 40 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the seams 18 in such anembodiment are at least located around the wrist openings 60, around theneck opening 62, around the waist opening 64, and along the chestopening 66. For the trousers 50 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, theseams 18 in such an embodiment are at least located around the ankleopenings 68 and around the waist opening 70. In these embodiments,additional seams are optionally positioned elsewhere in the garment toprovide further durability.

In certain embodiments, the trousers includes a knee support device thatprovides resistance to potentially damaging movement of a knee joint, aswell as to impacts against a knee joint. FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate exampleembodiments of a knee support device 100 that is compatible with thetrousers disclosed herein, or that is usable independently of atrousers. The knee support device 100 comprises a tubular sleeve 105configured to be positioned over the wearer's knee. In an exampleembodiment the tubular sleeve 105 comprises an expandable andstructurally supportive material, such as neoprene foam or polyurethanefoam, thereby allowing the sleeve 105 to fit snugly over the knee, andto resist twisting, sliding or other movement away from the wearer'sknee joint. The tubular sleeve 105 optionally includes adjustable strapsthat allow the knee support device 100 to be placed on the wearer withan adjustable tightness. In such embodiments, the straps includehook-and-loop type fasteners, snaps, buckles or other mechanisms thatallow the tightness of the straps to be adjusted.

The sleeve 105 has attached thereto one or more layers of paddingelements that are configured to protect the knee against damagingimpacts and/or to restrict potentially damaging movements of the knee.Rapid movement of the knee into certain positions has the potential todamage the tendons, ligaments and other anatomy of the knee. Incontrast, slower movement of the knee into the same position is oftenaccomplished without causing such damage.

FIG. 4A provides a front view of a knee support device 100 that includesa first layer of lateral padding elements 110 that are positioned onlateral regions of the tubular sleeve 105. In an example embodiment, thelateral padding elements 110 comprise an open- or closed-cellpolyurethane foam, although other padding materials, such asviscoelastic shock absorbing materials, are used in other embodiments.The lateral padding elements 110 are secured to the tubular sleeve 105using an adhesive, although other attachment mechanisms are used inother embodiments, such as by sewing, by using a hook-and-loop typeattachment system, or by stapling. The lateral padding elements 110 areshaped and positioned to contact and compress against each other as theknee is flexed, thereby providing resistance to rapid flexing of theknee and/or to over-flexing of the knee. This reduces the likelihoodthat these movements cause injury to the knee anatomy, such as injury tothe anterior cruciate ligament. The lateral padding elements 110 alsoadvantageously provide the lateral portion of the knee with protectionfrom impact injuries.

FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of the knee support device 100 of FIG.4A, with the front of the knee support device 100 facing to the right. Aplurality of lateral padding elements 110 are positioned on the side ofthe sleeve 105. Although four lateral padding elements 110 areillustrated on each side of the knee support device 100 in FIGS. 4A and4B, more or fewer padding elements are used in other embodiments. In theexample embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B, the knee support device 100includes a seam 112 at which one or more pieces of expandable materialare joined to form the tubular sleeve 105.

As described herein, in certain embodiments the knee support device 100includes more than one layer of padding elements. For example, FIG. 4Cillustrates a front view of the knee support device 100 of FIG. 4A,further including a second layer of front radial padding elements 130that are positioned radially around a kneecap protection element 132. Inan example embodiment, the radial padding elements 130 and the kneecapprotection element 132 comprise the same material as the lateral paddingelements 110, although other protective materials and/or paddedmaterials are used in other embodiments. For example, in a modifiedembodiment the kneecap protection element 132 includes a rigid shell,such as the rigid shell 34 illustrated in FIG. 1B. The rigid shell isoptionally configured to extend below the knee, such as to the wearer'sshin, thereby providing additional impact protection to the shin as wellas the kneecap. The radial padding elements 130 are affixed to thetubular sleeve 105 and/or the lateral padding elements using anadhesive, although other techniques for affixing these elements are usedin other embodiments.

The orientation and shape of the radial padding elements 130 areconfigured to protect the frontal portion of the knee from impactinjuries without significantly restricting knee movement. For example,in the illustrated embodiment the radial padding elements 110 have atriangular shape whereby a narrow portion of the triangle is orientedtoward the kneecap protection element 132, and a wide portion of thetriangle is oriented in the opposite direction. FIG. 4D illustrates aside view of the knee support device 100 of FIG. 4C, with the front ofthe knee support device 100 facing to the right.

In certain embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4E, a third layer oflateral support elements 120 are positioned over the tubular sleeve 105and/or the lateral padding elements 110. In certain embodiments, thelateral support elements 120 comprise a padding material, such as aneoprene padding or a polyurethane padding. In such embodiments thelateral support elements 120 provide additional resistance to rapidflexing of the knee and/or to over-flexing of the knee, and additionalprotection against impact injuries. In a modified embodiment, thelateral support elements 120 comprise a more rigid structure, such as aflexible plastic or metallic element. The flexible plastic or metallicelements are optionally enclosed in a sheath that is affixed to thesleeve 105 and/or the lateral padding elements 110. The lateral supportelements 120 are configured to advantageously reduce potentiallydamaging lateral movement of the knee.

FIG. 4F shows a side view of the knee support device of FIG. 4E, withthe front of the knee support device 100 facing to the right, andindicates that in an example embodiment the lateral support elements 120are positioned in three rows that are substantially parallel to the seam112. More rows or fewer rows of lateral support elements 120 are used inother embodiments. Additionally, in other embodiments the lateralsupport elements 120 are configured to extend substantiallyuninterrupted across the length of the tubular sleeve 105.

The example embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate exampleembodiments of a knee support device 100 having one or more layers oflateral padding elements 110, lateral support elements 120, radialpadding elements 130, and kneecap protection elements 132. However,other embodiments comprise other padding elements that are positioned onthe sleeve using other configurations. For example, FIG. 5A is a sideview of a modified knee support device 150 with the front of the kneesupport device 150 facing to the right, and FIG. 5B is a rear view ofthe modified knee support device 150 of FIG. 5A. The modified kneesupport device 150 comprises a tubular sleeve 155 having a plurality ofpadding elements attached thereto. The padding elements include a pairof upper padding elements 160 that are separated from each other, a pairof central padding elements 162 that are separated from each other, anda pair of lower padding elements 164 that are separated from each other.In an example embodiment, the padding elements are secured to thetubular sleeve 155 using an adhesive, although other securing methodsare used in other embodiments.

Still referring to the example embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A and5B, the pairs of padding elements are shaped and positioned in asubstantially symmetrical configuration about a center axis 157 of thetubular sleeve 155. Furthermore, the pairs of padding elements arerelatively narrow in a rear-facing region 170 of the tubular sleeve 155,and are relatively wide in a side-facing region 172 of the tubularsleeve 155. The upper, central and lower padding elements contact eachother in the side-facing region 172 of the tubular sleeve 155, but areseparated from each other in the rear-facing region 170 of the tubularsleeve 155. The pairs of padding elements extend between the rear-facingregion 170 and the side-facing region 155 of the tubular sleeve in theillustrated configuration. The relative positions, sizes and shapes ofthe padding elements cause the element to become compressed against eachother in the rear-facing region 170 of the modified knee support devicewhen the knee is flexed. This advantageously provides a resistance toknee flexion that is relatively small when the knee is slightly bent,but that increases as the knee is bent to larger angles.

As disclosed herein, the knee support device 100 is optionallyconfigured to be used with the trousers 50 disclosed herein. Forinstance, as shown in the example embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A and5B, the knee support device 150 includes fasteners 174, such ashook-and-loop type fasteners, that are usable to secure the knee supportdevice 150 to a corresponding fastener included on the inner liner layer12 of the trousers 50. An example embodiment of this configuration isillustrated in FIG. 6, which shows a partial cutaway front view of atrousers 50 having an exterior layer 16 and an inner liner layer 12. Aknee support device 180 is secured to the inner liner layer 12 usingfasteners 174. In a modified embodiment, an upper portion of the kneesupport device 180 is secured to the inner liner layer 12, and a lowerportion of the knee support device 180 is secured to an inner portion ofthe exterior layer 16. In certain embodiments, the exterior layer 16 ofthe trousers 50 optionally includes a closable opening, such as azippered opening, in the knee region of the trousers that is used toaccess a knee support device 180 positioned therein, regardless ofwhether the knee support device 180 is coupled to the trousers 50, or issimply placed over the wearer's knee.

The improved protective equipment and apparel disclosed herein has beendeveloped to help mitigate and/or prevent injuries sustained byparticipants in sporting activities. For example, the padded garmentsdisclosed herein help to cushion portions of the anatomy that areparticularly vulnerable to impact injuries, such as the knees, elbows,shoulders and hips. Placing the padding elements on an interior linerlayer instead of directly on the wearer's body, or directly on thegarment exterior body, reduces both interference with the wearer'smotion and the bulky appearance of a padded garment. Other protectiveequipment disclosed herein includes a variety of knee support devicesthat are configured to restrict knee movements that have the potentialto damage the knee anatomy. For example, in certain embodimentspositioning a flexible sleeve having compressible padding elements overthe knee joint provides resistance to large angle and/or rapid kneeflexing.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

While the foregoing detailed description discloses several embodimentsof the present invention, it should be understood that this disclosureis illustrative only and is not limiting of the present invention. Itshould be appreciated that the specific configurations and operationsdisclosed can differ from those described above, and that the methodsdescribed herein can be used in contexts other than sporting equipmentand apparel.

1. A knee support device comprising: an expandable sleeve configured tobe positioned over a knee, the expandable sleeve having an exteriorsurface with a forward portion, a rearward portion opposite the forwardportion, and side portions extending between the forward and rearwardportions; a central padding element that is attached to the expandablesleeve exterior surface, and that has a narrow region and a wide regionopposite the narrow region, wherein the central padding element narrowregion is attached to the exterior surface rearward portion, and whereinthe central padding element wide region is attached to one of theexterior surface side portions; an upper peripheral padding element, atleast a portion of which is attached to the rearward portion of theexpandable sleeve exterior surface, wherein the upper peripheral paddingelement is positioned in contact with an upper edge of the centralpadding element; and a lower peripheral padding element, at least aportion of which is attached to the rearward portion of the expandablesleeve exterior surface, wherein the lower peripheral padding element ispositioned in contact with a lower edge of the central padding element.2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable strappositioned around a portion of the expandable sleeve.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the expandable sleeve comprises a material selectedfrom the group consisting of neoprene and polyurethane.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein: the upper peripheral padding element has a narrowregion and a wide region opposite the narrow region; the upperperipheral padding element narrow region is attached to the exteriorsurface rearward portion; and the upper peripheral padding element wideregion is attached to one of the exterior surface side portions.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the upper peripheral padding element ispositioned in contact with the upper edge of the central padding elementover the exterior surface side portion, but not over the exteriorsurface rearward portion.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the centralpadding element, the upper peripheral padding element, and the lowerperipheral padding element comprise polyurethane.
 7. The device of claim1, further comprising a trousers having a trunk portion connected to anelongate leg portion, wherein the expandable sleeve is attached to theelongate leg potion of the trousers.
 8. A knee support devicecomprising: a hollow sleeve configured to be positioned over a knee, thehollow sleeve including a forward portion, a rearward portion oppositethe forward portion, and left and right side portions extending betweenthe forward and rearward portions, wherein the left and right sideportions are substantially equidistant from a sleeve central axis; aleft primary padding element at least partially disposed over the leftside portion of the hollow sleeve, the left primary padding elementhaving a narrow region and a wide region opposite the narrow region; aright primary padding element at least partially disposed over the rightside portion of the hollow sleeve, the right primary padding elementhaving a narrow region and a wide region opposite the narrow region; anda plurality of secondary padding elements that contact at least one ofthe left or right primary padding elements, wherein the secondarypadding elements are disposed in pairs that are symmetrically positionedabout the sleeve central axis.
 9. The knee support device of claim 8,wherein each of the secondary padding elements has a narrow region and awide region opposite the narrow region, the narrow region beingpositioned over the rearward portion of the hollow sleeve.
 10. The kneesupport device of claim 8, further comprising a trousers having a trunkportion connected to an elongate leg portion, wherein the hollow sleeveis coupled to the elongate leg portion of the trousers.
 11. The kneesupport device of claim 8, further comprising a first plurality offasteners positioned along an upper edge portion of the hollow sleeve,and a second plurality of fasteners positioned along a lower edgeportion of the hollow sleeve.
 12. The knee support device of claim 8,wherein the left primary padding element, the right primary paddingelement and the plurality of secondary padding elements comprisepolyurethane.
 13. The knee support device of claim 8, wherein the leftprimary padding element narrow region and the right primary paddingelement narrow region are positioned over the rearward portion of thehollow sleeve.
 14. The knee support device of claim 8, wherein the leftprimary padding element and the right primary padding element aresymmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the sleeve central axis.15. An apparatus comprising: a tubular sleeve configured to bepositioned around a knee, the tubular sleeve having an exterior surfacewith a forward portion, a rearward portion opposite the forward portion,and left and right side portions extending between the forward andrearward portions; a first layer of left side padding elementspositioned on the left side portion of the tubular sleeve; a first layerof right side padding elements positioned on the right side portion ofthe tubular sleeve; a kneecap protection element positioned on theforward portion of the exterior surface; and a plurality of radialpadding elements that are radially positioned around the kneecapprotection element, wherein a first portion of the radial paddingelements are positioned over the first layer of left side paddingelements, and a second portion of the radial padding elements arepositioned over the first layer of right side padding elements.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the first layer of left side paddingelements and the first layer of right side padding elements bothcomprise a plurality of ovular-shaped padding elements that extendbetween the exterior surface forward portion and the exterior surfacerearward portion.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tubularsleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting ofneoprene and polyurethane.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15, furthercomprising: a second layer of left side padding elements that arepositioned over the first layer of left side padding elements; and asecond layer of right side padding elements that are positioned over thefirst layer of right side padding elements.
 19. The apparatus of claim15, wherein each of the plurality of radial padding elements have atriangular shape.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising arigid shell positioned over the kneecap protection element, wherein thekneecap protection element comprises polyurethane.
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the kneecap protection element comprises a rigidshell.